'Free flights for all'

As anyone who has ever flown Ryanair will testify, the owner Michael O'Leary seldom gives something for nothing.

On Thursday the Irish budget airline began charging passengers to take luggage with them on holiday but yesterday, having watched one of his four-legged flying machines, War Of Attrition, win the Gold Cup, O'Leary was willing to waive his usual charges.

"Free flights for everyone this evening, I'll pay for them all myself," he promised after seeing his seven-year-old, racing in the colours of his Gigginstown House stud, hold off Hedgehunter to collect chasing's biggest prize. "Unbelievable, I've died and gone to heaven. I thought the finish was a bit slow - it lasted about 2½ hours there from the last to the line.

"I've been owning horses for around 10 years and never did I dream of winning the Cheltenham Gold Cup. My brother Eddie, who bought War Of Attrition for me, always thought he was good enough but I never did. Conor [O'Dwyer] gave him a great ride to keep him out of trouble in a big field and Mouse [Morris] did a great job training him.

"Tonight we shall have a couple of very quiet drinks soberly before catching the 9pm Ryanair to Twickenham to watch Ireland beat England. And we'll be paying for our luggage."